大學(xué)英語自學(xué)教程 unit 06

[00:00.00]Unit six Text A [00:02.09]第六單元 課文A [00:04.18]Diamonds [00:05.96]金剛石 [00:07.73]Diamonds are rare, beautiful, and also quite useful. [00:10.81]金剛石是稀有物質(zhì)，美麗，并且有使用價值。 [00:13.90]They are the hardest substance found in nature. [00:16.27]金剛石是自然界所發(fā)現(xiàn)的最堅硬的物質(zhì)。 [00:18.65]That means a diamond can cut any other surface. [00:21.17]這意味著金剛石能夠切割其他任何物體表面。 [00:23.69]And only another diamond can make a slight cut in a diamond. [00:27.08]只有金剛石才能在金剛石上刻劃很淺的痕跡。 [00:30.46]Diamonds are made from carbon. [00:32.78]金剛石的成分是碳。 [00:35.11]Carbon is found in all living things,both plant and animal. [00:38.30]碳存在于包括動物與植物在內(nèi)的一切生物體中。 [00:41.48]Much of the carbon in the earth comes from things that once lived. [00:44.96]地球上的大部分碳來源于曾是有生命的物體。 [00:48.43]Scientists know that the combination of extreme heat and pressure [00:51.87]科學(xué)家認識到極高的溫度和壓力 [00:55.30] changes carbon into diamonds. [00:57.67]使碳變成了金剛石。 [01:00.03]Such heat and pressure exist only in the hot,liquid mass of molten rock [01:04.25]這樣的高溫與高壓僅存在一地球內(nèi)部深處 [01:08.47]deep inside the earth. [01:10.65]熾熱的液態(tài)熔巖中。 [01:12.83]It is thought that millions of years ago [01:15.65]據(jù)認為，千百萬年前 [01:18.47]this liquid mass pushed upward through cracks in the earth's crust. [01:22.35]液態(tài)熔巖從地殼的裂縫間擠出地表。 [01:26.23]As the liquid cooled, the carbon changed into diamond crystals. [01:29.86]當熔巖冷卻時，其中的碳便成了金剛石晶體。 [01:33.49]There are only four areas where very many diamonds have been found. [01:37.67]人們發(fā)現(xiàn)只有四個地區(qū)金剛石儲藏量較多。 [01:41.85]The first known area was in India, [01:44.37]第一個周知的地區(qū)在印度， [01:46.89]where diamonds were found thousands of years ago. [01:49.71]那里的金剛石是幾千年前發(fā)現(xiàn)的。 [01:52.54]In the 1600's, [01:54.77]16世紀初， [01:57.00]travelers from Europe brought back these beautiful stones from India. [02:00.63]來自歐洲的旅行家們將這些美麗的寶石從印度帶回歐洲。 [02:04.26]Diamonds became very popular with the kings and queens of Europe. [02:07.84]于是金剛石成為歐洲各國國王與王后的寵愛之物。 [02:11.42]In the 1720's, diamonds were discovered in Brazil. [02:14.65]17世紀20年代巴西發(fā)現(xiàn)了金剛石。 [02:17.87]This discovery came at a good time, too. [02:20.60]這次發(fā)現(xiàn)恰逢其時， [02:23.33]India's supply of diamonds was finally running out after 2,500 years of mining the stories. [02:28.47]因為在印度經(jīng)過2500年的開采，金剛石的資源已接近枯竭。 [02:33.60]In the 1800's, [02:35.48]18世紀初， [02:37.36]two other important areas were found in Russia and South Africa. [02:41.14]又發(fā)現(xiàn)了另外兩個重要的金剛石產(chǎn)區(qū)：一個在俄國，另一個在南非。 [02:44.91]Today,most diamonds used in industry come from Russia. [02:48.39]當今，多數(shù)工業(yè)用金剛石產(chǎn)自俄羅斯， [02:51.86]Most diamonds used as gems come from South Africa. [02:55.18]而制作珠寶用的金剛石大部分產(chǎn)于南非。 [02:58.49]Only 25 percent of all diamonds mined are good enough for cutting into gems. [03:03.37]在所開采的全部金剛石中，僅有25%屬于優(yōu)質(zhì)，適合加工成珠寶。 [03:08.24]Most of the diamonds in India were found in stream beds. [03:12.07]在印度，大部分金剛石是在河床上發(fā)現(xiàn)的。 [03:15.89]People would pick up handfuls of gravel from the bottom of the streams [03:19.38]人們從河底里拾起一把把砂礫， [03:22.87]and sort out the diamonds. [03:25.24]然后從中挑出金剛石。 [03:27.62]These diamonds were probably carried from where they were formed [03:30.59]這些金剛石可能是從其形成的地方 [03:33.55] to India by great sheets of moving ice [03:36.63]被大塊移動的冰川帶到印度的。 [03:39.72]that covered parts of the earth 20,000 years ago. [03:42.38]二萬年前地球的部分地區(qū)是被冰川覆蓋著的。 [03:45.04]Most diamonds today are not found in stream beds, however. [03:48.77]但是現(xiàn)在大部分金剛石已不是從河床上找到的， [03:52.49]They are mined from rock formations deep inside the earth called pipes. [03:56.32]而是從地下深稱做火山筒脈的巖層結(jié)構(gòu)中開采出來的。 [04:00.14]Scientists believe [04:02.17]科學(xué)家相信， [04:04.19]that these axe parts of volcanoes that were formed when molten rock [04:07.68]這種火山筒是火山的一部分， [04:11.17] pushed upward through the earth's crust. [04:13.83]它是熔巖向上沖出地殼時形成 的。 [04:16.50]The hard rock in which diamonds are found is called blue ground, [04:20.11]含有金剛石的巖層叫藍地， [04:23.73]because it is somewhat blue. [04:26.15]因為它多少有點藍色。 [04:28.56]The blue ground is blasted into large pieces of rock [04:31.90]開采時先將藍地炸成大塊石料， [04:35.23]which are carried to the surface by elevator. [04:37.71]以免金剛石受到破壞。 [04:40.19]Then the rocks are carefully so that the diamonds are not destroyed. [04:43.96]洗礦臺的面板上涂有厚厚一層油脂， [04:47.74]Next, the crushed material is taken over to washing tables. [04:50.98]當碎砂石從面板上流過時， [04:54.22]Here, it flows over boards thickly mated with grease. [04:57.50]金剛石粘在油脂上， [05:00.77]Since diamonds stick to grease, [05:03.05]而其它砂石與泥土 [05:05.32]they are left behind by the rocks and mud whieh flow down the tables. [05:09.66]則從洗礦臺上流走。 [05:13.99]Diamonds,as they are found, do not look very impressive. [05:17.41]金剛石剛開采時并無動人之處， [05:20.84]They are gray, greasy-looking pebbles. [05:23.41]只是灰色滑溜的小卵石。 [05:25.98]Experienced diamond miners can tell a diamond immediately. [05:29.21]有經(jīng)驗的金剛石開采者以立即人辨出金剛石， [05:32.43]But some people have carried around an unusual pebble for weeks [05:35.67]但有些人隨身帶著一塊不尋常的石頭， [05:38.91]before finding out that they had got a diamond. [05:41.89]過了好幾個星期才搞清楚，這是一塊金剛石。 [05:44.87]Text B [05:46.29]課文B [05:47.72]The Difference between Plants and Animals [05:50.45]動物與植物的區(qū)別 [05:53.18]If you were asked. [05:54.76]如果有人問你， [05:56.34]"What is the difference between a plant and an animal?" [05:58.66]動物與植物有什么區(qū)別？” [06:00.99]What answer do you think you would give? [06:02.97]你想你會怎么回答呢？ [06:04.96]Your first thought might be that a plant has leaves and roots and flowers, [06:08.22]你首先想到的是，植物有葉子、根、花， [06:11.49]which an animal has not. [06:13.41]而動物沒有這些。 [06:15.33]Yet that would not be correct; [06:17.35]但這樣的回答并不是正確， [06:19.38]for there are many plants which have neither roots nor leaves nor flowers, [06:22.55]因為有許多植物既沒有根，沒有葉，也不開花， [06:25.72]while there are some animals which seem to have all three. [06:28.15]而有些動物似乎這三者都具備。 [06:30.58]Look up into the sky,and then down at the earth beneath your feet. [06:33.70]抬頭看看天空，然后再看看你腳下的大地， [06:36.83]It is easy enough,you think,to tell which is earth and which is sky; [06:40.21]你會認為要辨別哪個是天，哪個是地，是最容易不過的事情了。 [06:43.59]but if you live in the wide, open country, or near the sea, [06:46.26]但是如果你住在寬廣開闊的農(nóng)村，或住在海邊， [06:48.92]you will often find when you look far away [06:51.42]當你向遠處去看那天地會合處時， [06:53.91]to the place where sky and earth seem to meet, [06:56.13]你常常會發(fā)現(xiàn)， [06:58.35]that this is a matter of some difficulty. [07:00.83]分辨天地不那么容易。 [07:03.31]You see only the thin blue haze,like smoke, [07:05.99]你只能看到如煙一般的藍色薄霧， [07:08.67]which is the dividing line between the heavens and the earth. [07:11.54]這就是天與地的分界線。 [07:14.42]But just where the one ends and the other begins,you cannot tell. [07:17.80]但這條分界線從哪里開始，到哪里結(jié)束，你不可能說清楚。 [07:21.18]Just so it is throughout all the world of Nature. [07:23.76]整個自然界就是這樣。 [07:26.33]You may look at a group of cows standing under the trees [07:29.06]你可以看見站在樹下的 [07:31.79]or catch a bee at his early drink in a rnoming-glory bell, [07:34.61]一群奶牛或捉到一只起早在牽?；ǖ幕ü谏喜擅鄣拿鄯洹? [07:37.43]and you would laugh if any one should ask you [07:39.79]如果有人問你能否區(qū)分 [07:42.16] whether you can tell an animal from a plant. [07:44.44]哪個是動物，哪個是植物，你一定會感到好笑。 [07:46.73]But suppose you mm aside from these familiar, everyday things, [07:49.71]但假如你撇開這些日常熟悉的東西， [07:52.69]and study objects which you have to look at through a magnifying glass, [07:55.56]而去研究只有用放大鏡才能看到的東西， [07:58.43]and you will find many things that will puzzle you. [08:00.81]你一定會發(fā)現(xiàn)許多東西使你迷惑不解。 [08:03.19]You will find plants without roots, leaves, flowers, or seeds; [08:06.22]你會發(fā)現(xiàn)有無根，無葉，無花或無種子的植物， [08:09.25]and you will find animals without heads,legs,eyes,mouths,or stomachs. [08:13.27]你還會發(fā)現(xiàn)無頭、無足、無眼、無嘴或無胃的動物。 [08:17.29]Students of Nature are not satisfied with guessing, [08:20.02]大自然的研究者不滿足于猜測， [08:22.75]but they observe,day after day, [08:24.79]而是日復(fù)一日地觀察 [08:26.83]the changes which take place in at,object; [08:29.05]物體發(fā)生的變化。 [08:31.27]and they see many things which most people would fail to see. [08:34.21]他們看到了大多數(shù)人未能看到的許多東西。 [08:37.15]And thus they have found that the real difference between plants and animals [08:40.08]因此他們發(fā)現(xiàn)動物與植物的真正差異在于 [08:43.02]lies in what they do, and not in what they seem to be. [08:45.81]它他們的行為而不是它們的形體。 [08:48.59]We now know that about one fourth of all the kinds of seaweed are animals. [08:52.06]現(xiàn)在我們知道各種海草中大工業(yè)約有四分之一是動物。 [08:55.54]A few years ago all of them were classed as plants. [08:58.37]而幾年前它們都歸類為植物。 [09:01.20]It was long supposed that the main difference between animals and plants [09:04.17]長時間以來一直認為動物與植物的主要區(qū)別 [09:07.13]was that the former could move about while the latter could not. [09:09.80]是前者能到處移動而后者則不能。 [09:12.46]But this difference will not hold good. [09:14.36]但這一區(qū)別不能成立。 [09:16.25]How then are we to know whether a living object is a plant or an animal? [09:19.48]那么我們怎能知道一個生物是植物還是動物呢？ [09:22.70]Plants can live on inorganic matter; [09:24.78]植物能靠無機物生活； [09:26.86]they have the power of changing earth and air and water into substances [09:30.68]它產(chǎn)具有將土地、空氣和水 [09:34.51]which enter into and become a part of themsdves. [09:37.14]變?yōu)殇呏参镒陨硪徊糠值哪芰Α? [09:39.76]Animals can live only on what plants have already turned [09:42.84]動物只能靠植物將無機物 [09:45.93] from inorganic to vegetable matter. [09:48.20]變?yōu)橹参镄再|(zhì)來生活。 [09:50.47]Animals,although they need some inorganic food,cannot live on it alone. [09:54.26]雖然動物也需要食用某些無機物，但不能單靠無機物生活。 [09:58.05]All the food that keeps our bodies strong, or makes them grow, [10:00.87]一切使我們身體強壯或成長的食物 [10:03.69]was once in the vegetable form. [10:05.87]都曾一度為植物生的。 [10:08.05]No bird nor fish nor other animal could ever have lived on this earth, [10:11.44]如果沒有植物首先出現(xiàn)在地球上 [10:14.82]if the plants had not come first [10:16.95]并為更高一級生物的生活條件做好準備， [10:19.08]and fitted it for the dwelling place of a higher order of beings. [10:21.75]那就不可能有鳥、魚或其他任何動物在地球 上生存。 [10:24.43]Plants are the true fairies that are forever working wonders around us. [10:27.51]植物是真正的仙子，始終在我們周圍創(chuàng)造著奇跡。 [10:30.60]Their roots,dig down into the earth and gather its treasums. [10:33.57]植物的根部深入地下，吸收土壤中的養(yǎng)分； [10:36.55]Their leaves spread their broad surfaces to the air and take in its riches; [10:40.13]植物的葉子在空中展開，吸收空氣中的有用物質(zhì)。 [10:43.71]and out of what they have thus gathered they produce the beautiful flowers, [10:46.74]吸收了這些物質(zhì)后，植物開出美麗花朵， [10:49.77]the delicious fruits, and the golden grain. [10:52.29]結(jié)出美味的果實，長出金色的谷物。 [10:54.81]Let us study more clasdy the way in which a plant grows. [10:57.59]讓我們更加仔細地看看植物是怎樣生長的。 [11:00.38]The root pushes itself down into the earth. [11:02.74]根向下深入土壤， [11:05.10]If it finds no water, it soon dies. [11:07.53]如果遇不到水，便很快枯死； [11:09.96]If it finds water,it begins to suck it up and change it into sap. [11:13.65]如果說遇到水，便將水吸起，變?yōu)橹参锏囊褐? [11:17.33]Besides the water, [11:18.84]除水之個， [11:20.36]it takes up such parts of the soil as are dissolved in the water. [11:23.44]根還吸收土壤中那些溶于水中的物質(zhì)。 [11:26.52]Here,then,you see in what ways [11:29.15]由此，你可以看到 [11:31.77]the food of the plant is different from that of animals. [11:34.50]植物的食物與動物的食物是怎樣的不同。

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